The question of the universe’s shape has fascinated scientists and philosophers for centuries. It relates not only to physical space but also to the behavior of time, matter, energy, and the large-scale structure of existence. Understanding this shape requires insights from astronomy, physics, geometry, and cosmology. While Earth-bound geometries are intuitive—such as spheres, cubes, and planes—the dimensions that describe the universe are more abstract and complex. Determining the shape involves analyzing a combination of observational data and mathematical models grounded in general relativity.

Set in the year 2075, The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein unfolds on Luna, a penal colony that has developed into a complex, semi-autonomous society. The moon’s population—descendants of transported convicts and voluntary exiles—faces increasing exploitation by the Lunar Authority, an Earth-based governing body controlling the colony’s vital exports of grain and resources. The novel’s plot is catalyzed when Luna’s citizens, led by a disparate group of individuals including a self-aware supercomputer and a former political agitator, initiate a revolutionary movement to achieve independence from Earth.

Unidentified flying objects, commonly referred to as UFOs, have long been the subject of cultural fascination, scientific speculation, and government investigation. However, in recent years, the term “UAP,” standing for Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena, has risen to prominence, particularly in military and governmental contexts. Though the underlying concept—aerial phenomena that defy conventional explanation—remains similar, UAPs represent a shift in how such occurrences are categorized, investigated, and discussed. This change is not merely semantic; it reflects broader differences in methodology, institutional handling, and cultural framing.

The space economy refers to the range of economic activities that involve outer space, encompassing everything from satellite services and launch operations to emerging markets such as asteroid mining, lunar exploration, and space tourism. This dynamic sector has expanded significantly in recent years, attracting billions in investments and influencing global markets. Media plays a unique role in shaping the growth, public perception, and overall development of the space economy.

The Sentinel-3 satellite, part of the European Union’s Copernicus Programme, is engineered to provide detailed observations of Earth’s surface. Managed by the European Space Agency (ESA) in cooperation with the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), Sentinel-3 contributes substantially to monitoring sea and land topography.

Saturn’s rings have long fascinated astronomers and space enthusiasts alike. These enormous, complex structures encircling the gas giant continue to reveal unexpected characteristics. Scientists have spent decades studying them, leading to discoveries that challenge earlier assumptions. Here are some unusual aspects of Saturn’s rings that highlight how extraordinary this planetary system truly is.

Imagine the skies directly above us, the busy orbital highways of Low Earth Orbit (LEO), becoming suddenly and indefinitely closed. This isn't merely a thought experiment grounded in distant science fiction; it's a realistic exploration based on the concept known as the Kessler Syndrome. This theory posits that the growing population of objects circling our planet – functioning satellites vital to our daily lives, alongside defunct ones, discarded rocket bodies, fragments from past mishaps, and even debris from intentional anti-satellite tests – could reach a critical density. Beyond this point, a single significant collision could trigger a catastrophic chain reaction. Each impact generates thousands of new pieces of debris, dramatically increasing the odds of further collisions. This cascading effect could rapidly create an impenetrable field of high-velocity shrapnel, rendering LEO unusable for new launches and catastrophically damaging existing infrastructure for decades, perhaps even centuries. This scenario forces us to confront a sobering question: what would happen to our deeply interconnected global economy if this vital orbital infrastructure were to abruptly collapse?

Time dilation is a fascinating consequence of Einstein’s theory of relativity, revealing the ways time behaves differently depending on speed and gravity. It challenges conventional understanding, showing that time is not a constant but rather a variable influenced by motion and gravitational forces. Below are some surprising aspects of time dilation that continue to astonish scientists and the general public alike.

Kepler-452b is an exoplanet located approximately 1,400 light-years away in the constellation Cygnus. It orbits a G-type star, Kepler-452, which is similar to the Sun in both temperature and composition. This planet was identified by NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope and is often compared to Earth due to its size, orbital period, and position within its star’s habitable zone.

Located at the distant edges of our solar system, the Oort Cloud is a mysterious, largely theoretical sphere of icy objects that exists far beyond the orbit of Neptune. Thought to be the source of long-period comets, it represents one of the solar system’s least understood regions. Although it has never been directly observed, scientific models and indirect evidence support its existence. Stretching potentially a quarter of the distance to the nearest star, this vast spherical cloud holds clues about the solar system’s formation and dynamics.

Pioneer 10 was an American space probe launched by NASA on March 2, 1972, from Cape Canaveral, Florida. It was the first spacecraft to travel through the asteroid belt and make direct observations of Jupiter, providing humanity with its first close-up images of the gas giant. This mission marked a significant advancement in space exploration technology during the early 1970s. The spacecraft was designed to study the outer solar system, along with providing valuable data regarding the environment of space beyond Mars.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has become a globally respected entity through its innovative missions and remarkable achievements. Known primarily for its cost-effective launches and ambitious projects, ISRO also holds several intriguing distinctions that reveal the organization's unique character and trajectory. Beyond the headlines, the Indian space program is imbued with fascinating stories and unexpected facts that shed light on its evolution and ethos.

Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP), historically known as UFOs, have long captured the public’s imagination and the attention of military and intelligence agencies. Over the decades, the United States government has initiated several formal programs to study aerial anomalies, beginning with post–World War II concerns about national security and evolving into modern efforts to analyze sensor data and foster transparency. This article reviews the key phases in UAP investigation efforts by the U.S. government, culminating in the establishment of the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO).

As of mid-2025, the study of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs)—now formally referred to as Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs) by U.S. government agencies—has moved from the fringe into structured government and scientific inquiry. Renewed attention from defense, intelligence, and academic institutions has led to new official frameworks, declassified evidence, and a wide range of hypotheses. However, the phenomenon remains unexplained in many cases.

Space weather refers to the varying conditions within the space environment, particularly in the area influenced by the Sun, which directly affect Earth and human technology. Though often overshadowed by more commonly discussed atmospheric weather, space weather events have significant impacts, both scientifically and technologically. The dynamic nature of solar activity results in a wide array of phenomena, many of which are lesser-known to the general public.

Set in a vividly imagined medieval Britain that straddles the border between the mortal world and the land of Faerie, Thomas the Rhymer by Ellen Kushner draws its inspiration from the 13th-century Scottish ballad of the same name. The novel follows the journey of Thomas, a traveling minstrel whose fate intertwines with a mysterious woman known only as the Queen of Elfland. When Thomas is taken to her realm, he enters a timeless land governed by eerie beauty and rigid rules, where he becomes bound to remain for seven years. Upon his return to the mortal world, he finds both it and himself irrevocably changed—bestowed with the curse or gift of truth-telling, a condition that alters his relationships, career, and sense of identity.

The United States' current path toward returning humans to the Moon—primarily through NASA's Artemis program—is facing mounting financial and logistical difficulties. Anchored by the Space Launch System (SLS), Orion capsule, and supporting legacy infrastructure, the program has suffered from persistent cost overruns, technical issues, and extended delays. A policy paper by Rand Simberg, published by the Reason Foundation, advocates for replacing this outdated approach with a commercial space-led strategy based on reusable technology, competitive contracting, and flexible mission architecture. This article presents the key points of the study and outlines a practical path forward. The original paper can be accessed here.

As more countries look to space, experts argue that it’s worth asking why we want to go at all, and who should lead the charge.

The stars are wreathed in a huge spiral of dust, like a snake eating its own tail.

Some observatories that used to be dark and remote are now adjacent to bright urban centers. And sending all telescopes into space isn’t a viable solution.

Growing a baby in space sounds like science fiction. Here’s why it might stay that way.

Established at the height of the Cold War era, the treaty signed in 1967 known formally as the "Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies" remains the backbone of international space law. Drafted in response to the rapid technological progress and growing interest in space exploration, the agreement has garnered widespread support and provided a stable framework for peaceful space activities.

NASA's Viking 2 mission was one of the earliest and most ambitious efforts in robotic planetary exploration, designed to expand the understanding of Mars through direct observation and scientific experimentation. Launched in 1975 as part of the Viking program, Viking 2 followed closely in the path of its predecessor, Viking 1, and became the second spacecraft to successfully land on Mars and transmit data from the Martian surface back to Earth. The mission consisted of two components: an orbiter and a lander, each with its own scientific instruments and operational objectives, deployed together to function independently while offering a broad spectrum of data on the red planet.

A new space race has captured the imagination of entrepreneurs and investors around the globe. This contest isn't about planting flags on distant worlds; it's about building smaller, nimbler rockets to serve a booming market for compact satellites. These small launch vehicles, or SLVs, are a class of rocket designed to carry lighter payloads, typically under 2,000 kg, into orbit. Their core promise is: to provide a dedicated, flexible, and responsive "taxi service" to space, freeing small satellite operators from the constraints of hitching a ride on larger rockets.

Yes, astronauts have to drink water that used to be pee – but their urine is treated extensively, until it is safer to drink than some tap water on Earth.